Mindfulness for Teens with Heart Conditions
What is mindfulness?
Living in the Moment
Mindfulness is all about living fully in the present moment, without judgment and with an attitude of kindness and curiosity.
Learning to Breathe
It’s about breathing, noticing what’s happening right here and now, sending a gentle smile to whatever you’re experiencing in this moment (whether it’s easy or difficult) and then letting it go.
Anytime, Anywhere
You can be mindful anytime, anywhere, no matter what you’re doing. It can be short (a few deep breaths) or a longer session.
Mindfulness for Teens with Heart Conditions
When you have a heart condition, you may have symptoms, like your heart beating fast, or feeling tired or anxious. Mindfulness can’t take away these symptoms, but you can train your brain to think about them less! It’s like turning down the volume on your symptoms.
How Mindfulness Helps
Watch a 3-minute video about what teens have to say about mindfulness.
Online Resources and Apps
App
Mindful Mynah
Tools for mindfulness including mindfulness bell, widgets and more.
Online Resource
Mindfulness for Teens
Free online meditation resource for teens.
App
MyCalmBeat
Learn how your breathing rate affects your heart rate patterns and its affects on how your brain deals with stress.
App
Stop, Breathe & Think
Free one on one counselling sessions for eligible young people aged 8 to 21.
Online Resource
Tactical Breather
Also known as box breathing, this is used to help reduce stress.
Examples of Mindful Exercises
5-Count Breath
- Breathe in to a count of 5
- Breathe out to a count of 5
- Repeat 10 times
4-7-8 Breath
- Breathe in to a count of 4
- HOLD your breath to a count of 7
- Breathe out to a count of 8
- Repeat 3 times